In a remote village in Papua New Guinea, Paul* made a decision that would change his family’s future.
A coffee farmer and father of five, Paul was struggling to provide for his family as floods and broken roads made farming harder. He wanted to protect his wife from the risks of another pregnancy and give his children a more secure future. So, despite strong community taboos, Paul walked two days with his wife across rivers and mountains to reach an MSI team – and chose a vasectomy.
Paul is not alone. In 2024, MSI provided more than 4,000 vasectomies.
Why does this matter?
Because family planning is not only a women’s issue. When men step forward, the whole family benefits. A vasectomy is quick, safe, and a highly effective method of permanent contraception for men. It’s a simple, minimally invasive procedure that usually takes less than 30 minutes and involves very little downtime.
Compared to other surgical procedures, vasectomies carry fewer risks, are less expensive, and do not affect sexual function. But despite the medical benefits, uptake globally remains low, to misinformation, gender norms, and limited access in rural areas.
But we are helping to change that by proving that with the right information and community engagement, men are ready to play their part.
MSI’s approach makes this possible. By working with communities, training local mobilisers, and breaking down myths, MSI is building trust where it matters most. And with your support, more men like Paul are showing leadership, standing beside their partners, and helping families thrive.
Together, we can keep changing the story: one man, one family, one community at a time.
